ONE of the major plus-points for Liverpool this season is their refusal to let the occasional setback throw them into turmoil.
That reflects well on Rafael Benitez who seems instantly able to wipe bad memories from his players' psyche while keeping them focused on challenges ahead.
The defeat by Benfica could have proved a crippling blow given the huge amount of anticipation engendered by Liverpool's triumph in Istanbul.
Everyone associated with the club had seen winning another European Cup as panacea for another season of Premiership disappointment.
So the loss was a grievous one. But you wouldn't think so looking at results since.
Not only have Liverpool strung together a series of impressive victories, they have also started scoring goals - 20 in their last five games with surely more to follow.
There is also a greater flow about in Liverpool's play and even a hint from the eternally-maligned Djibril Cisse that ugly ducklings can become swans.
Which doesn't mean that the demanding Benitez won't shortly begin a complete makeover of his strike-force. Merely that he has three forwards who must impress between now and the end of a campaign that will see Liverpool finish a tolerable third.
Cisse remains the most threatened of the species. Against West Brom he fulfilled the role he was bought for: using his electric pace to unpick opposing defences, and scoring goals instead of putting spectators at risk.
His run to create the opener for Robbie Fowler was superb while his own strike, when he beat defender and goalkeeper at speed ahead of a cool finish, indicated the kind of composure that persuaded Gerard Houllier to gamble £14million on him.
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